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Newcastle team news vs Bournemouth: Predicted line up – Benitez faces defensive crisis
RAFAEL BENITEZ will be forced to shuffle his defensive unit when Newcastle face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon (3pm).
The Magpies have a number of selection issues to contend with this weekend due to mounting injuries and suspensions.
Fabian Schar is unavailable after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season against Everton while Jamaal Lascelles and Sean Longstaff have both been ruled out through injury.
Benitez is also without Rob Elliott but Ciaran Clark has returned from injury and may well be risked against the Cherries due to a lack of alternatives.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Benitez said: "We won’t take the risk with Lascelles – we’ll assess him in two or three days.
"But Clark is available – we have lost one, but we have another one available."
Federico Fernandez is another option in central defence with Benitez calling on the Argentine to rediscover his best form shown earlier this campaign.
“He has more chances. He was the best defender at the start of the season,” said the Magpies boss.
“Hopefully, he can be ready and like he was at the beginning of the season.”
Paul Dummett could be handed a rare start if the Toon stick with a back five while Jonjo Shelvey or Ki Sung-yeung will deputise for Longstaff in central midfield.
DeAndre Yedlin and Matt Ritchie should continue in the full-back roles while Miguel Almiron and Ayoze Perez will start out wide.
Salomon Rondon is expected to lead the line as he looks to build on his eight Premier League goals so far this season.
Newcastle are currently 13th in the table, six points above the relegation zone and just three points behind today’s opponents.
Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Bournemouth – Premier League
(5-4-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie; Perez, Ki, Hayden, Almiron; Rondon